Minister Dave Umahi Calls on Peter Obi to Align with President Tinubu Amid Booming Southeast Development

 

Senator Dave Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, has publicly appealed to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing strong regional support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration among Southeast governors. The minister’s call comes as several major federal infrastructure projects progress rapidly across the region, signaling renewed federal focus and investment.

Speaking in an exclusive feature interview for an upcoming State House documentary marking President Tinubu’s second anniversary, Umahi highlighted that the Southeast governors, regardless of political party, are united in their support for the current government. He stressed that the region is witnessing a shift from past feelings of marginalization to a new era of tangible federal presence and developmental attention.

“The Igbo man is enterprising and blessed with God-given wisdom. What Ndi Igbo seek is fairness, a Nigeria that treats every zone equally. That is exactly what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing,” Umahi remarked. He reflected on his time as Ebonyi State governor, recalling the persistent challenge of limited federal projects. “Before, one of our biggest concerns was the lack of federal presence in Ebonyi State. But today, that issue is nearly forgotten. Under President Tinubu, at least four federal projects are ongoing in Ebonyi.”

Umahi detailed several major infrastructure developments under the current administration, noting the historic appointment of a Minister of Works from the Southeast. Key projects include road networks linking Port Harcourt to Enugu, Enugu to Abakaliki, Enugu to Onitsha, Onitsha to Owerri, as well as significant progress on the Second Niger Bridge, for which the federal government has already paid 30 percent of the cost.

He further revealed plans for a regional summit aimed at uniting Southeast leaders to formally endorse President Tinubu for the 2027 elections. “All Southeast governors, irrespective of party, are working with the President. We want to see our projects completed, strengthen the country’s unity, and foster proper integration of Ndi Igbo,” the minister said.

In an earnest appeal to opposition figures, Umahi urged them to prioritize the welfare of their people over partisan politics. “Leadership is about the people. If someone else is already doing what you would have done, support him,” he advised, directly addressing Peter Obi. “I call on my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, to join us and work with Mr. President. He must be part of the summit where we will collectively endorse President Tinubu for 2027. I say it boldly: the Southeast is happy with the President.”

The minister also provided updates on four major national projects designed to catalyze economic growth and enhance regional integration. Among them, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is advancing steadily, with over 80 percent of Section 1 completed. This initial stretch runs 47.47 kilometers from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, terminating at Eleko Junction. Work on Section 2, spanning 55 kilometers from Eleko Junction to the Lagos-Ogun border, is progressing as well.

Umahi announced that tolling on Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will commence in December, projecting a 10-year return on investment. He emphasized the project’s innovative features, including solar-powered street lighting, CCTV infrastructure, and carbon credit benefits. “This highway is more than just a road; it’s an economic corridor and a catalyst for regional development,” he explained. Additionally, the recent flag-off of Sections 3 and 3B—covering 65 kilometers across Cross River and Akwa Ibom states—has been met with enthusiasm from host communities.

The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway also remains a priority, described by Umahi as a project with historic significance dating back over 40 years to the Shehu Shagari administration. Alongside the Lagos-Calabar route, these projects and the soon-to-be-procured Ogun-Ondo-Niger Corridor and Trans-Saharan Trade Route underscore a federal push to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential through strategic infrastructure investments.

Through these developments and political alignments, the Southeast is evidently repositioning itself within the national framework, with federal projects and political support signaling a new chapter of inclusion and progress. Senator Umahi’s appeal to Peter Obi reflects a broader call for unity and collaboration as the region seeks to capitalize on the opportunities presented under President Tinubu’s leadership.